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Legislative Update 09-12-02
Rocket Contest, New Website & Public Forum

Dear Neighbors:

There are three opportunities that have come to my attention that I think may be interesting and useful to you. The first is for teachers, parents and students, the second is for those interested in the Legislature, and the third is for all those interested in signs around Anchorage.

First, for all the young would-be rocket scientists in our area, is the announcement of a major competition. The Aerospace Industries Association, the National Association of Rocketry, NASA, the NEA, and other national organizations are sponsoring the Team America Rocketry Challenge, the first national rocket contest for junior high and high school students. Teams are challenged to design, build, and launch a model rocket carrying two raw eggs to exactly 1500 feet, while returning both eggs to the earth unscrambled! The contest is limited to a total of 500 US high school teams and the deadline to enter the Challenge is November 15, 2002.

The top five teams will share a grand prize pool of $59,000 in cash and savings bonds. In addition, three of the top ten teams are eligible to win $2500 grants, including travel expenses, to launch an advanced rocket with NASA. Each of the top 25 teams' schools will be invited to send one teacher on an all expenses paid trip to attend an advanced NASA rocketry workshop with NASA scientists and engineers, and tour research and development facilities at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Detailed information, including an application, is located at www.ROCKETCONTEST.org.

Second, the talented staff of the Legislative Data Processing section have redesigned the Legislature's website at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/. Please note that two links you may have used in the past have new descriptions: 1) the link for BASIS (Bill Action Status and Inquiry System) is now listed as "Bill Search" and 2) the link for the Legislative Information Search is now listed as "Archives." Some of the links under "Archives" include current statutes, regulations, the state Constitution, and committee minutes and other documents from current and previous legislatures. I encourage you to browse and use this site.

Third, as part of the implementation of the Anchorage 2020 Anchorage Bowl Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Department is working to re-write the municipal sign ordinance. The Planning Department has become aware of concerns expressed by the public about the lack of sign aesthetics and the size of signs that are allowed in certain areas.

D.B. Hartt, Inc., a consulting firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, has been hired to review and recommend changes to the current sign code. The firm has made two trips to Anchorage to study the issue and to meet with stakeholder and other interested parties. Project consultants will present their specific recommendations for a new sign code at a public forum on Wednesday, September 18th from 7:00 - 9:00 at the Spenard Recreation Center Multi-purpose Room, 2020 West 48th Avenue.

For more information on this process, please go to http://www.muni.org/phyplan/sign_main.cfm.

I hope at least some of this information is useful to you. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please get in touch with me.

Thanks,

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All addresses are "blind" for your privacy. A strict "no spam" policy is observed. If you don’t wish to receive "Legislative Update", just let me know. If you know a friend or neighbor in District 18 who has not received "Legislative Update" but would like to be included, I will be glad to include them if they contact me. Your replies, comments, questions, and/or suggestions are welcome. Constituent comments on legislation and policy issues may be tabulated, shared with other legislators, or quoted in speeches. Names, however, will be kept private.

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